Hail To The District Podcast

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati is rejoined by good friends John and Neel to preview the 2018 NBA Playoffs. Conversation topics include: which team would've been the best matchup for the Washington Wizards in Round 1 of the playoffs (1:42), Cleveland's "cakewalk" path to winning the Eastern Conference yet again (7:23), why LeBron James should be the MVP of the 2017-2018 season (24:07), our previews of the Western Conference matchups in Round (36:40), and discussing the one-and-done rule in college basketball and recent college hoops scandals (45:09).

HTTD’s Rajan Nanavati is joined by NFL Insider Chad Forbes to discuss the hot-button topics of the 2018 NFL Draft, and who the Washington Redskins could be targeting in the draft and in free agency. Discussion topics include: which position is Cleveland towards with the first overall pick (2:00), if the Giants will actually take a quarterback with the second pick (6:02), where Josh Rosen sits among the top four quarterbacks and the concerns about his personality (11:07), the two wide receiver prospects who might be the best in this year's draft class (21:04), the Redskins options with the 13th overall pick (24:04), three players whom the Redskins could be targeting in free agency (29:54), and if it's really worth using a top five pick to draft Saquon Barkley (38:39).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice are joined by Jamal Collier, the Washington Nationals' beat writer for MLB.com, to preview the upcoming 2018 season for the Nationals. They discuss The early returns on the difference between Dave Martinez compared to Dusty Baker (4:18), who will be the fifth pitcher in the starting rotation (14:16), the contrast of the bullpen between last year and this year (23:07), Victor Robles being a future star for the Nationals (28:15), how the Nationals stack up to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs (37:03), and if Bryce Harper will still be a member of the Washington Nationals in 2019 (47:02).

Rajan is rejoined by good friends John and Neel to recap the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline, and discuss the new balance of power in the NBA's Eastern Conference. Discussion topics include: the Cavaliers remaking nearly their entire roster (1:36), whether LeBron James or James Harden should/will MVP this year (17:08), how do the moves made by Cleveland impact their prospects in the playoffs? (21:33), buyout players that could be available for the Wizards (or other teams) to sign (28:59), and Neel's thoughts on the Bulls acquiring Noah Vonleh from Portland (37:53).

Rajan chats with Mark Bullock of the Washington Post's Redskins Insider section, to provide his analysis of Alex Smith becoming the new starting quarterback of the Washington Redskins. Discussion topics include: how Alex Smith will fit in Jay Gruden's offense (1:44), if the Redskins having enough weapons on the offense around Smith (7:13), whether we'll see the Run Pass Option (RPO) In The Redskins Offense (12:43), if the Redskins could/should address the quarterback position early in the 2018 NFL Draft (20:57), and Mark's analysis of the top quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft (23:45).

In the first-ever HTTD emergency podcast, HTTD's Rajan and Dash convene to break down the trade in which the Washington Redskins acquired quarterback Alex Smith. Discussion topics include: the Redskins hijacking a big news day with the Alex Smith acquisition (2:19), the biggest areas of need on offense around Alex Smith (6:46), the curious timing of making this move in general (11:05), and real-time reactions to Kendall Fuller's inclusion in the trade (15:55).

HTTD’s Rajan Nanavati talks to Grant Paulsen of 106.7 FM about the Kirk Cousins' contract situation and how that will play out this spring and summer, and then is joined by John to discuss the Wizards failed players-only meeting. Discussion topics include: What the Redskins will do, in regards to Kirk Cousins, before the franchise tag deadline (2:28), if Cousins would sign a cheaper contract just to leave Washington (8:05), a final prediction regarding whether Cousins is in Washington in 2018 (14:22), the failed "players-only" meeting by the Washington Wizards (19:21), who was the player that John Wall and Bradley Beal referenced in their cryptic comments (24:26), if John Wall deserved to be an All-Star this year (35:51), and if the Wizards should trade their first round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft (40:38)

Jake Whitacre, Editor of BulletsForever.com, sits down with HTTD's Rajan, Dash, and John, to discuss the state of the Washington Wizards midway through the 2017-2018 season. Discussion topics include: initial thoughts on the team's recent struggles (3:19), sources for the Wizards playing up or down to the competition (9:56), the up-and-down season from Otto Porter (17:33), potential targets for the Wizards to acquire via trade (26:32), and if any of the Wizards be selected to the 2018 All-Star game (38:46).

Washington and Denver both falling short of preseason expectations (2:07), the Broncos being a top suitor for Kirk Cousins in free agency (4:53), if Paxton Lynch should already be written off as a bust (6:40), why Vance Joseph will not be fired this offseason (11:53), and discussing Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, and Baker Mayfield as the top QB prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft (19:30).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Dash Kannan talk to Greg Bishop of Sports Illustrated, discussing Bishop's feature story for the magazine on Cousins, and Cousins' future in Washington. Conversation topics include: the real reason Kirk Cousins didn't sign an extension with the Redskins before the 2017 season (7:27), how he views Jay Gruden's offense and the talents around him (12:55), where Cousins ranks among all starting quarterbacks (15:53), if there's any "bad blood" between Cousins and the current Redskins regime (21:00), how the national narrative is still reluctant to accept Cousins as a franchise quarterback (26:31), what Cousins teammates think of him and how they respond to him (29:29), and the #1 factor that will determine whether Cousins will stay in DC after this season. (37:00).